The federal government will begin automatically registering males aged 18–26 for the Selective Service starting in December under a provision of last year’s NDAA. The measure, already used by 46 states and territories, will cover citizens and most noncitizens (excluding many nonimmigrant visa holders). Registration does not mean an immediate draft: Congress must authorize any draft, which would use a lottery and allow exemption or deferment requests.
Automatic Military Draft Registration Begins in December — What Young Men Need to Know
US Army soldiers raise their right hands as President Donald Trump conducts during a re-enlistment ceremony in Washington, DC, in June 2025. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/File
Beginning in December, eligible young men across the United States will be automatically entered into the Selective Service registration pool under a provision in last year’s annual defense policy law.
What’s Changing
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law last December by President Joe Biden, includes a measure to establish automatic Selective Service registration nationwide. The Selective Service System (SSS) has used automatic registration in many states and territories for years; late last month the SSS submitted a proposed rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) to implement the practice across the country.
Who Is Included
Automatic registration will apply to males aged 18 through 26 who are U.S. citizens or otherwise residing in the United States. The requirement explicitly includes lawful permanent residents (green-card holders), refugees, asylum seekers and undocumented men. Individuals in the country on nonimmigrant visas (for example, many student or tourist visas) are excluded.
How Registration Works
Where a state or territory already has automatic registration in place, the process usually occurs when an eligible person applies for a driver’s license or other state ID. According to the SSS, 46 states and territories already use some form of automatic registration, and more than 60% of registrations historically have come through motor vehicle departments.
In jurisdictions without automatic enrollment, federal law still requires men to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday. The SSS accepts late registrations up until an individual’s 26th birthday.
Penalties And Consequences
Failure to register with Selective Service can carry serious consequences: it may jeopardize eligibility for some federal benefits, including certain student aid and federal employment, and can be prosecuted under the Military Selective Service Act. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment of up to five years, although enforcement and prosecution are historically rare.
What Happens If A Draft Is Authorized
Registration itself does not trigger a draft. Any draft would require separate authorization by Congress. If a draft is authorized, the SSS would conduct a lottery to determine the order in which registrants might be called. In a draft year, men whose 20th birthdays fall in that year are called first, followed by ages 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, then 19, and finally those more than six months past their 18th birthday, with birthdays and numbers chosen at random.
Individuals selected by the lottery may apply for exemptions or deferments. Those who remain eligible after that process would undergo "physical, mental, and moral" evaluations; only those deemed fit for service would be inducted.
Practical Steps
If you are male and between 18 and 26, check your state DMV or the Selective Service System website to confirm your registration status. If you believe you qualify for an exemption or are unsure about your status, consult the SSS guidance or legal counsel for more information.
Note: The SSS has been contacted for additional details about the proposed nationwide rule and implementation timeline.
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